When it comes to shoes, Tracy, our multisport editor has a pretty tough time finding something that works. Plagued by tendonitis, an accessory navicular bone, as well as a history of stress fractures, she’s got a tall order when it comes to finding a shoe that’s just right. In fact, she’s not ashamed to admit that she had been hanging on to a seriously beat up pair of cycling shoes for years simply because she could never find others that didn’t aggravate her chronic injuries. So when Louis Garneau suggested she try the TRI-400s, she was a little hesitant to give up her old shoes. So before we get into the tech behind the shoe, let’s talk about fit.

Fortunately for us, LG was very happy to accommodate her needs and even sent out different sizes so that she could determine which was just right for her feet. For anyone who suffers from foot pain, you know how much it can become aggravated by tight-fitting footwear. And that’s usually the issue when it comes to cycling shoes. So what Tracy ended up doing was using two different sized shoes—a larger on the right foot and a smaller on the left. Once she figured that out, the fit was pure perfection.

Speaking of fit, the tech behind the TRI-400s definitely helps anyone with a hard-to-fit foot. That’s because rather than a wide Velcro strap alone, LG also employs a Boa IP1 dial for locking down the mid-foot. This results in a tri shoe that feels much closer to a top-of-the-line road cycling shoe. You can quickly get your foot inside the shoe (note the easy-to-grab heel loop, too), cinch down the reverse-closure Velcro strap, and then dial-in your exact fit with the Boa dial. What’s more, the dial is bidirectional, so you can easily loosen or tighten it on the fly as needed.

LG’s Carbon HM X-Lite outsole with titanium inserts provide the right amount of stiffness, while still remaining incredibly light (a claimed 235 grams), so you can transfer more power to the pedals. The outsole also features vents to provide additional airflow, as well as drainage. Speaking of ventilation, the TRI-400s also offer mesh inserts up top for additional cooling as well as an anti-bacterial Ice Fil insole. Needless to say, these shoes were perfect for our hot South Florida summers. Our feet stayed cool and dry ride after ride.

If we go back to fit for a moment, one thing we were worried about with the use of two-different sized shoes was the risk of friction and irritation. If Tracy’s foot had too much wiggle room inside the larger shoe, that could result in blisters and hot spots. Fortunately for her, LG’s HRS-400 retention system inside the heel cup held her heel firmly in place—even in the slightly larger shoe. She never felt a loss of power or blisters due to a loser fit. Finding a shoe that can securely lock your foot in place while still accommodating for those who need a slightly wider fit—that’s a win-win in our book.

The TRI-400s come in bright red or white and will set up back about $325. So if we were to have one complaint, it would be the price tag. However, if you ask Tracy, she would gladly pay for shoes that allow her to ride for hours pain free. So in this case, the old adage “you get what you pay for” couldn’t ring more true. If you can fit these you’re your new gear budget, we’d recommend giving the TRI-400s some serious consideration. These are the real deal when it comes to top-of-the-line tri shoes.

Overall, we couldn’t have been happier with the TRI-400s. Tracy finally found a new pair of shoes that met her needs. And that meant that her ancient pair of shoes was finally retired. Honestly, the rest of the AG team may have been even more pleased about that. Let’s just say that, when it came to her old pair, we were getting pretty close to a shoe intervention. Those things had to go.